10 popular cars for female buyers

These cars made up more than 25% of female purchases in 2012 according to Vroomgirls.com. Click through for the site's female specific reviews.

No 10. – Ford FocusThe Focus is one of the most comprehensive compacts on the market, it can be equipped with heated leather seats, voice-activated navigation, and even a self-parking system.

Photo By Gary Fountain/Freelance

No. 9. – Chevrolet Cruze

The Cruze’s popularity does not surprise us: With a whopping ten airbags, it has a stronger commitment to safety than most of its competitors.

Photo By Handout/Honda

No. 8 – Honda CR-V

A simple, spacious interior, fuel-efficient four-cylinder engine, and a well-earned reputation for quality and dependability.

Photo By File

No. 7 – Chevrolet Equinox

We imagine that the key to the Equinox’s popularity is that it does its job well: It was designed to provide maximum cargo and back-seat room in a compact, easy-to-park package.

Photo By .

No. 6 – Nissan Altima

Nissan do everything women ask from their mid-size sedans, carrying 5 people in comfort, style and economy.

No. 5 – Hyundai Elantra

Prices have crept up a bit, they still deliver a lot of equipment for a reasonable price. The Elantra is a particularly sharp-looking car inside and out, which definitely adds to the appeal.

No. 4 – Honda Accord

Simplicity, economy, and value. They’ve also emphasized a sporty driving experience, an attribute that comes at the expense of ride quality — traits designed to appeal to male buyers. Still, we think the Accord’s roomy cabin and impeccable reliability record will continue to make it popular among women.

No. 3 – Ford Escape

With practical features like a voice-activated stereo and navigation system and an electric tailgate that opens when you wave your foot under the bumper, we expect the new Escape to continue to be a car women find quite appealing.

No. 2 – Honda Civic

No question, the Honda Civic is one of the most sensible cars on the market. Small on the outside and roomy on the inside, the Civic has a well-deserved reputation for delivering excellent fuel economy and outstanding reliability.

Photo By Steve Ueckert/Houston Chronicle

No. 1. – Toyota Camry

Toyota redesigned the Camry in 2012, adding a contemporary dose of style, pizazz, and safety — the Camry’s newly-improved interior is home to ten airbags, more than most luxury-category cars that cost quite a bit more.

The idea that women don't know anything about cars is a bad steterotype and one Texas dealership wants to put it to rest.

Victory Auto Smart opened in January on John Stockbauer Dr. and is now well and truly on the map, largely because of their unique approach which they say was a happy accident.

The dealership's entire crew is female.

"I don't think it was ever done on purpose ... I think it just worked," said Jessika Peinkofer, sales manager at Victory. "We bring a more positive atmosphere. Women, nine out of 10 times, are a little happier and more enthusiastic."

Admittedly, the staff is small, with just three ladies running the show but Peinkofer says the lack of men does cause a stir with new customers.

"Most of them are amazed. They say, "Oh wow, all women?" Or they come because of that and say they just wanted to see what it was all about," Peinkofer said.

The team includes Lorean Clauson, 23, and Laurynn Nichols, 21, the collections manager and sales consultant respectively. The women admit they do have to work harder to convince male customers to trust them.

"They ask us questions to to trip us up a little bit, but then they realize that we do know what we're talking about," said Peinkofer.

Relationships are the key to sales, according to the trio, who put extra focus on building friendships with their customers so they trust them enough to recommend family and friends.

Fifty percent of sales are now attributed to referrals so their plan seems to be working, and it's not just women customers but men also.

Peinkofer says she prefers female sales people when she shops also.

"Over the weekend I bought a jet ski ... I would have loved to have a woman (salesperson). I could have felt more open. I don't want to feel stupid, I can ask questions and not feel judged," she said.